Lateral quickness to beat blockers into gaps and make plays in the backfield.

Delivers a heavy punch that can reset the line of scrimmage and contain edge runs.

Slippery defender who slides off blocks with regularity.

Picks up the ball quickly in run defense and maintains gap discipline.

Scrapes off blocks on the edge with relative ease to keep contain.

Rangy to chase down ball-carriers in the open field, gets to the ball at a high rate.

Played in multiple fronts and from both sides of the defense for Boise State.

Negatives

Doesn’t have optimal length as an edge-rusher.

Has a lean frame that needs to be built upon.

Inconsistent coming off the ball, a half-step slow at times.

Can be over-reliant on his swim move and expose his chest to blockers.

Doesn’t work a variety of pass-rushing moves or string them together to set up pass-blockers.

Inconsistent at converting speed to power on the outside to compress the pocket.

Not a true stack-and-shed run defender due to a lack of functional strength.

Gets hung up on blocks and taken for a ride if he doesn’t win with his hands as a run defender.

Needs to finish with more balance and power when shedding blocks to clear contact completely.

Not a technically sound tackler, tends to strike too high and doesn’t maximize contact.

Only has two seasons of Division I football experience.

Collegiate Statistics

Year

Team

Tackles

TFL

Sacks

FF

PD

2012

Boise St.

48

13.5

9.5

4

1

2013

Boise St.

72

20.5

10.5

3

1

Sports-Reference.com

Personal Notes

A 3-star prospect as a junior college recruit in 2011 according to Rivals.com.

Signed with Boise State from Butler Community College out of El Dorado, Kan.

Has been suspended for three games over his two-year career at Boise State, each its own separate suspension for violation of team rules or undisclosed reasons.

Ratings Chart

Graph made at nces.com

Overall

The untapped athletic potential of Demarcus Lawrence will have teams intrigued. He’s a multidimensional athlete with football instincts and surprisingly refined hand usage.

What has held him back is a lack of pass-rushing development in terms of moves and a body that still needs to be filled out. The rawness of Lawrence as a prospect is both scary and captivating, but it may be entirely due to lack of experience under high-level coaching.

Between the high ceiling and ability to play in multiple fronts, Demarcus Lawrence should be a sought-after commodity on draft day.